Sharon Mentyka divides her time between design, teaching and writing for children. Her stories grow from small kernels of truth that explore common themes: fairness (or unfairness), transitions and helping the less powerful find their voice. Her experience as a member of a non-traditional family helped inspire "B IN THE WORLD."Sharon has an MFA in Creative Writing from the Whidbey Writers Workshop. In 2012 she was awarded the Astra Zarina Fellowship from the Civita Institute where she created a series of storytelling maps and a picture book "Qui, Qua and Quo" about the ancient Italian hill town of Civita di Bagnoregio. See more about her writing projects at www.sharonmentyka.com.